2025-02-11, 01:35 AM - Word count: 733
What a matchday yesterday! Not a single one of them was a boring 0-0 draw.
We started off strong with a convincing albeit not as impressive 1-0 win for Stockholm over Port Royale. Stockholm was by far the more aggressive side but with over 2 xG generated, one would think they were a bit wasteful in their play. Or perhaps they were just unlucky to only finish the match with a winner from Michael? Regardless, Port Royale definitely need to step up their game for the second match.
Next we have what was possibly the most nail-biting game to watch, Adowa Accra against Sydney City. Sydney started off strong with an early lead by Louis but it didn't take long for Accra to equalize with a goal from Cole. Accra was generating more chances but none of them were hitting the back of the net and it was looking like the game might end 1-1. That was until the goal in the 86th minute for Sydney by Minjeong to take the lead. The fans were sure they had just snatched victory. However, just a minute later Zlatan would score for Accra, making it level again! It would seem that Adowa Accra finally got the gears to turn as in the dying minute of the game the team produced a wonder goal, Zlatan in the 94th minute scores his second to win the match.
For now will skip the third match and come back to it in the end. Let's take a look at the final match that was played yesterday, Atlético Medellin vs Jakarta. This was a very controversial match to say the least. The score would lead you to believe that Atletico dominated but stats don't tell everything and sometimes the eye test is needed. Jakarta had much more possession and they generated far more lethal chances from open play where as Atletico did have more shots but the xG was lower. Atletico got 2 penalties this match, which Matias was able to slot into the back of the net with ease. However, if we take away the xG from these penalties, we see that Jakarta was far more effective in their execution. To me this looked like a bit of a smash and grab but congratulations to Atletico for winning. Jakarta shouldn't be too disheartened, as their team play was good. Sometimes lady luck just isn't on your side but that's a part of the game.
Finally it is time to talk about Victoria Falls vs Istanbul. If the readers will pardon my bias, this was the most convincing performance of the day. Istanbul played an away game for the start of the season and took take their opponent's lunch money. A massive 4-1 win that puts Istanbul at the top of the table, though more matches need to be played of course. I will not pretend that the poor performance of Victoria's goalkeeper wasn't a factor but on their defense on the whole was disappointing with the only exception being Carlos Narvaez who provided the assist to Giacomo Santori for their only goal and only shot on target. Istanbul was more dominant in possession, shots and xG with most of the game being played in Victoria's half of the pitch. Victoria definitely needs to take a look at their tactic as they just weren't able to make anything substantial happen. On the other side of the field, Istanbul had a storming game. Started off strong with a header from Vinnie Jones. Victoria was able to equalize by the end of the first half but Istanbul was confident in their play and they knew it was only a matter of time before the damn came down. A goal from yours truly in the 58th minute, followed by a goal from Marean Dohbra in the 63rd, followed by a brace from me in the 68th minute. Three goals in ten minutes, a complete performance from Istanbul's attacking trio.
All in all a very exciting match day and we only have more to look forward too. I hope my not so subtle propaganda was able to convince you to support Istanbul and the team vows to bring you more fun attacking football.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Istanbul F.K.
We started off strong with a convincing albeit not as impressive 1-0 win for Stockholm over Port Royale. Stockholm was by far the more aggressive side but with over 2 xG generated, one would think they were a bit wasteful in their play. Or perhaps they were just unlucky to only finish the match with a winner from Michael? Regardless, Port Royale definitely need to step up their game for the second match.
Next we have what was possibly the most nail-biting game to watch, Adowa Accra against Sydney City. Sydney started off strong with an early lead by Louis but it didn't take long for Accra to equalize with a goal from Cole. Accra was generating more chances but none of them were hitting the back of the net and it was looking like the game might end 1-1. That was until the goal in the 86th minute for Sydney by Minjeong to take the lead. The fans were sure they had just snatched victory. However, just a minute later Zlatan would score for Accra, making it level again! It would seem that Adowa Accra finally got the gears to turn as in the dying minute of the game the team produced a wonder goal, Zlatan in the 94th minute scores his second to win the match.
For now will skip the third match and come back to it in the end. Let's take a look at the final match that was played yesterday, Atlético Medellin vs Jakarta. This was a very controversial match to say the least. The score would lead you to believe that Atletico dominated but stats don't tell everything and sometimes the eye test is needed. Jakarta had much more possession and they generated far more lethal chances from open play where as Atletico did have more shots but the xG was lower. Atletico got 2 penalties this match, which Matias was able to slot into the back of the net with ease. However, if we take away the xG from these penalties, we see that Jakarta was far more effective in their execution. To me this looked like a bit of a smash and grab but congratulations to Atletico for winning. Jakarta shouldn't be too disheartened, as their team play was good. Sometimes lady luck just isn't on your side but that's a part of the game.
Finally it is time to talk about Victoria Falls vs Istanbul. If the readers will pardon my bias, this was the most convincing performance of the day. Istanbul played an away game for the start of the season and took take their opponent's lunch money. A massive 4-1 win that puts Istanbul at the top of the table, though more matches need to be played of course. I will not pretend that the poor performance of Victoria's goalkeeper wasn't a factor but on their defense on the whole was disappointing with the only exception being Carlos Narvaez who provided the assist to Giacomo Santori for their only goal and only shot on target. Istanbul was more dominant in possession, shots and xG with most of the game being played in Victoria's half of the pitch. Victoria definitely needs to take a look at their tactic as they just weren't able to make anything substantial happen. On the other side of the field, Istanbul had a storming game. Started off strong with a header from Vinnie Jones. Victoria was able to equalize by the end of the first half but Istanbul was confident in their play and they knew it was only a matter of time before the damn came down. A goal from yours truly in the 58th minute, followed by a goal from Marean Dohbra in the 63rd, followed by a brace from me in the 68th minute. Three goals in ten minutes, a complete performance from Istanbul's attacking trio.
All in all a very exciting match day and we only have more to look forward too. I hope my not so subtle propaganda was able to convince you to support Istanbul and the team vows to bring you more fun attacking football.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Istanbul F.K.
